Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Burn Injuries

Burn Injuries

Burn injuries occur when the skin and underlying tissues are damaged due to exposure to heat, electricity, chemicals, radiation, or friction. They can vary in severity, from minor superficial burns to severe deep burns that can be life-threatening.
The damage results in the death of skin cells, which can lead to a massive loss of fluid. Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and renal and circulatory failure follow, which can be fatal. Burn patients are treated with intravenous fluids to offset...

Antimicrobial Proteins

Antimicrobial Proteins

Antimicrobial proteins are important components of the immune system. They aid the body in combating pathogens by either killing them directly or hindering their replication processes. Four main types of antimicrobial substances are interferons, the complement system, iron-binding proteins, and antimicrobial proteins.
Interferons
Interferons (IFNs) are proteins produced by lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts infected with viruses. While IFNs cannot prevent viruses from entering and...

Surface Membrane Barriers

Surface Membrane Barriers

The skin and mucous membranes serve as the primary line of defense against pathogens by providing both physical and chemical protection. These barriers are essential in preventing the entry and establishment of microbes, thereby maintaining the integrity of the host.
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...

Defenses Against Pathogens and Herbivores

Defenses Against Pathogens and Herbivores

Plants present a rich source of nutrients for many organisms, making it a target for herbivores and infectious agents. Plants, though lacking a proper immune system, have developed an array of constitutive and inducible defenses to fend off these attacks.

Pathophysiology of Peptic Ulcer Disease: Mucosal Defense Factors

Pathophysiology of Peptic Ulcer Disease: Mucosal Defense Factors

Peptic ulcer disease, commonly called PUD, represents a multifaceted condition characterized by disruptions in the lining of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Central to the protection of the gastrointestinal lining is the mucosal-bicarbonate barrier. This physiological defense mechanism is a formidable shield against the corrosive effects of gastric acid and pepsin secretion in the stomach. Its role is pivotal in maintaining the structural integrity of the stomach's inner lining. Bicarbonate,...

Defense Mechanism Against Infection

Defense Mechanism Against Infection

Natural flora, body system defenses, and inflammation are natural barriers of the body against infectious agents regardless of previous exposure. Normal floras of the human body refer to the microbial population that colonizes the skin and mucous membranes.
In addition, many body organ systems have unique defenses against infection. The skin is an intact, multilayered surface preventing invasion by microorganisms unless impaired. Mucous membranes lining the mouth, nose, and eyelids are barriers...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Millesi's Classification of Nerve Fibrosis Remains Underutilized in Modern Peripheral Nerve Research.

Muscle & nerve·2026

Same author

Prevalence of heterozygous and homozygous 9p21 deletions in human cancer: a tissue microarray study on 4,999 tumors from 125 different tumor types.

Molecular medicine (Cambridge, Mass.)·2026

Same author

Handchirurgie, Mikrochirurgie, plastische Chirurgie : Organ der Deutschsprachigen Arbeitsgemeinschaft fur Handchirurgie : Organ der Deutschsprachigen Arbeitsgemeinschaft fur Mikrochirurgie der Peripheren Nerven und Gefasse : Organ der V...·2026

Same author

Predicting Burn Injury Consultations: The Influence of Temporal Variables and Weather Conditions.

Journal of burn care & research : official publication of the American Burn Association·2026

Same author

Glutathione peroxidase 2 expression in human tumors: a tissue microarray study on 18,555 tumors.

Frontiers in oncology·2026

Same author

Maturation of Elasticity, Pliability and Colour of Thin Split-Thickness Skin Grafts on Deep Dermal and Muscular Wound Bed Within the Course of 1 Year.

International wound journal·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 12, 2026

A Swine Burn Model for Investigating the Healing Process in Multiple Depth Burn Wounds

A Swine Burn Model for Investigating the Healing Process in Multiple Depth Burn Wounds

Published on: February 23, 2024

Host defence peptides in human burns.

Aljoscha Kaus¹, Frank Jacobsen, Michael Sorkin

¹Department of Plastic Surgery, Burn Centre, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany.

Burns : Journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries

|August 24, 2007

Summary

Burned skin shows increased expression of epithelial host defence peptides, but this doesn't prevent infection. The innate immune response in burns is complex, requiring further investigation.

More Related Videos

Rat Burn Model to Study Full-Thickness Cutaneous Thermal Burn and Infection

Rat Burn Model to Study Full-Thickness Cutaneous Thermal Burn and Infection

Published on: August 23, 2022

Severe Burn Injury in a Swine Model for Clinical Dressing Assessment

Severe Burn Injury in a Swine Model for Clinical Dressing Assessment

Published on: November 6, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 12, 2026

A Swine Burn Model for Investigating the Healing Process in Multiple Depth Burn Wounds

A Swine Burn Model for Investigating the Healing Process in Multiple Depth Burn Wounds

Published on: February 23, 2024

Rat Burn Model to Study Full-Thickness Cutaneous Thermal Burn and Infection

Rat Burn Model to Study Full-Thickness Cutaneous Thermal Burn and Infection

Published on: August 23, 2022

Severe Burn Injury in a Swine Model for Clinical Dressing Assessment

Severe Burn Injury in a Swine Model for Clinical Dressing Assessment

Published on: November 6, 2018

Area of Science:

Immunology
Dermatology
Molecular Biology

Background:

Epithelial host defence peptides (HDPs) are crucial for innate immunity.
Burn injuries compromise skin integrity and immune function.
Understanding HDP expression in burns is vital for infection control.

Purpose of the Study:

To analyze the expression profiles of key human epithelial HDPs in burned and unburned skin.
To investigate the localization of specific HDPs within burn tissue.
To correlate HDP gene expression with burn wound infection rates.

Main Methods:

Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) for HDP mRNA quantification.
In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical staining for gene expression localization.
Analysis of tissue samples from partial-thickness burns and unburned skin.

Main Results:

Elevated mRNA levels of most analyzed HDPs (hCAP-18/LL-37, hBD1-hBD4, dermcidin, S100A7/psoriasin, RNAse7) were observed in partial-thickness burns compared to unburned tissue.
In situ hybridization confirmed the expression of hCAP-18/LL-37, hBD2, and hBD3 at the burn surface, irrespective of burn depth.
Higher HDP gene expression did not correlate with a lower incidence of wound infection.

Conclusions:

Burned skin exhibits increased expression of epithelial host defence peptides.
The localization of certain HDPs is independent of burn depth.
The innate immune response in burn wounds is complex and warrants further research, as increased HDP expression does not guarantee protection against infection.